John Hayden elected Yale hockey captain

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NEW HAVEN >> Greenwich’s John Hayden already owns quite the hockey resume; one sprinkled with international success and career milestones every young player dreams of achieving.

Among his accomplishments: serving as alternate captain for the United States at the World Junior Championships in Canada; winning a silver medal at the U-18 World Championships in Sochi, Russia and being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

None, he says, quite compares to the news he received Monday, when he was elected captain of the Yale men’s hockey team in a vote by his peers.

“Honestly, this is probably the greatest honor so far of my career because my best friends and teammates at Yale, who know me as a player and as a person, have faith in my leadership,” Hayden said.

Hayden, 21, is the first Connecticut resident named Yale hockey captain since New Canaan’s Christian Jensen in 2006.

A true power forward, Hayden is coming off a breakout season in which he scored more goals (16) than he did during his first two years combined. He also emerged as a ferocious physical presence — he’s listed at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds — who caused just as much havoc in the defensive zone.

“It’s a great choice for several reasons,” Yale coach Keith Allain said. “John is absolutely driven to be the best hockey player he can be. He’s also selfless and committed to making sure our hockey team is the best that it can be. So it’s a perfect combination.”

The Blackhawks are anxious to get Hayden into their organization. They made a push to sign him last spring, and when Yale’s season ended in the NCAA East Regional, Allain expected a similar scenario.

Yale’s John Hayden (21) was elected captain for the Yale hockey team.

Yale’s John Hayden (21) was elected captain for the Yale hockey team.

Photo: The Associated Press File Photo

Photo: The Associated Press File Photo

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Yale’s John Hayden (21) was elected captain for the Yale hockey team.

Yale’s John Hayden (21) was elected captain for the Yale hockey team.

Photo: The Associated Press File Photo

John Hayden elected Yale hockey captain

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Hayden informed Allain he planned to return for his senior season not long after the first-round loss to UMass Lowell on March 26. On Monday, he said the decision wasn’t that difficult.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Blackhawks organization, which has done a great job of supporting me over the years,” Hayden said. “Returning is a combination of unfinished business and the need for me to develop before going pro. It has a lot to do with my teammates; my class hasn’t won (an NCAA) tournament game yet, we haven’t been to ECAC finals yet. That’s motivation, alone. On a personal level, I still want to work on my game and develop for another year and a half before going pro.”

Hayden, as he’s done the past three summers, will spend time in Chicago at the Blackhawks’ developmental camp. He also trains at Stamford-based Prentiss Hockey Performance with several professionals and Yale hockey alums like Brian O’Neill, Mark Arcobello and Andrew Miller.

He’s on track to earn his Yale degree in political science next May.

“Being an NHL player is every talented young boy’s dream,” Allain said. “John wants it in the worst way, but he understands the value of a Yale education, the value of being a member of the Yale hockey team and the chance to win a championship. Once that opportunity is done, it’s not coming back. I think he’s smart enough to put things in perspective and take things one step at a time in his career.”

An Allain in Storrs

Nik Allain, the 16-year old son of Keith Allain, made an oral commitment to play hockey at UConn late last week. He’s currently a junior at North Branford High and will play the next two seasons at Taft in Watertown.

Interest came from a number of Division I schools, including Yale. Keith Allain, who has a strong relationship with UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh, said he removed himself as much as he could from the process.

“I really wasn’t involved at all, except to talk with him when he wanted to talk,” Keith Allain said. “I think it’s important that he makes his own way. As you know, I can be a strong influence sometimes. I really wanted it to be his decision and for him to go where he wanted to go.”

Nik, a 6-foot-2 forward, spent the previous two seasons with the Connecticut Wolfpack and Connecticut Junior Rangers, both U-16 clubs. He’ll spend the next two years at the Taft School in Watertown. Enrollment at UConn likely won’t be until 2018 or 2019, depending on whether he opts for Junior hockey.

“Right now, he’s focused on North Branford High School lacrosse,” Allain said. “He’s playing and having a great time with his team.”

Another Clifton to QU

Corey Clifton, younger brother of rising Quinnipiac seniors Connor and Tim Clifton, will continue the family tradition in Hamden. He gave Quinnipiac a verbal commitment late last week.

Corey Clifton, a 17-year old junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, spent last season with the Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League, scoring 14 goals and 30 points in 29 games. He’ll play next season with the North Jersey Avalanche.

His father, Tim Clifton Sr., said Corey plans to play “one or two seasons” in the United States Hockey League before enrolling at Quinnipiac in the fall of 2018 or 2019. That means the three brothers won’t get to play together.

Two weeks ago, Connor and Tim Clifton announced they would return for their senior seasons. Tim Clifton Sr. said both had NHL contract offers. Connor, a defenseman, was a draft pick of the Coyotes in 2013; Tim, a forward, is an undrafted free agent. Connor will serve as a team captain in the fall; Tim as an assistant captain.